Too busy to go to the doctors?

Jatinder Dhillon

There is now a quick convenient, secure alternative to visiting your GP practice in person, using your phone, tablet, laptop or pc for an online consultation at a time that suits you

A number of GP practices across Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees are now offering online consultations to patients as part of a national £45 million investment by the NHS into new consultation types.

Patients are being encouraged to escape the wait and simply visit their practice website to start an online consultation.

It allows patients to access safe and efficient advice for their health conditions, as well as being able to submit a query to their GP from the convenience of their own home and receive a response by the end of the next working day.

There is a wealth of information available, including, a symptom checker (self-help guides and videos about common conditions), pharmacy advice, link to NHS 111 and help to request a prescription.

Dr Saleem Hassan, GP Locality Lead, NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG said, “Recent years have seen the rapid development in the number of online consultation systems helping patients to connect with their practice in a new way.

Computer user.

‘It’s not for everyone but our aim is to offer increased choice and accessibility. For many patients online consultations offer a quick and convenient way to access health advice without having to take time away from work or home to see a GP face to face. Some people also feel more comfortable talking about their problems online rather than face to face and we believe this now offers patients a new way to access advice and treatment”

Online consultations also free up time for GPs and other health professionals, allowing them to spend more time managing patients with complex needs.